Few things are more chilling than a serial killer—especially one who kills without any motive. That kind of senseless violence has always been one of horror’s most unsettling fascinations. When I came across “High Tension,” I remembered it being highly recommended within horror circles and decided to give it a watch. I went in completely blind—no trailers, no plot summaries, nothing. My expectations were modest, as history has taught me to keep them that way, but sometimes the best experiences come from surprise. This turned out to be one of those times, reminding me why recommendations are sometimes worth trusting.
On The Road to Terror
“High Tension” begins almost as if it has two openings. The first feels abstract, detached, and seemingly unrelated, though it becomes far more meaningful by the time the film ends. It’s a kind of prelude, one worth remembering as the story unfolds. The second opening is far more shocking—a brutal, unexpected scene that immediately sets the tone for the disturbing road ahead. The sheer audacity of the violence, the casual disposal of a severed head, makes it clear that this film won’t be pulling punches.
A Not so Normal Normal
After that shocking opening, the film momentarily shifts into something that appears almost ordinary, as it should; it is our normal. It is the setup of the world and gives us reason to believe that the later dynamics can play out.
We are introduced to two friends, Marie and Alex, on a road trip. It’s been a while since Alice has been home. At the homestead, her parents and younger brother eagerly await her arrival. It feels like a peaceful interlude—a brief calm before the inevitable chaos.
Yet even in these quiet moments, something feels off. There’s an unease simmering beneath the surface—subtle glances, quiet tension, and an undercurrent that hints at desire and danger. The sense that something isn’t quite right lingers in the background, building slowly until the film takes a hard turn into full-blown terror.
The Tension in High Tension
Soon, we’re confronted with a relentless, greasy, and utterly merciless killer—one who operates without remorse or reason. In a brutal display of violence, the family is slaughtered, their lives torn apart in acts so savage they’re difficult to process. Amid the carnage, one of the friends is preserved, her fate unknown, and the rationale for salvation unfounded. It seems that she is simply left to face a horrifying aftermath. Meanwhile, the other, having narrowly escaped the killer’s rampage, becomes consumed with desperation. An unmitigated desire to save her friend—risking everything in a fight against a walking sadistic nightmare .
The film is deeply unsettling—and that shock factor is part of what keeps viewers locked in, desperate to understand what drives this monstrous force. When the truth finally surfaces and the twist is revealed, there’s an almost audible sigh of realization. You might not fully comprehend how it all unfolded, but the revelation brings both clarity and curiosity—sparking a need to retrace the story and uncover the clues that were hiding in plain sight. It makes for a wild, unforgettable experience.
Grounding the Horror
The performances are exceptional and play a huge role in amplifying the film’s tension. The actors ground the chaos with believable emotion, making the suspense all the more gripping and the payoff far more impactful. Even as the film concludes and offers a kind of resolution, it leaves lingering unease—a sense of cognitive dissonance as you try to make sense of the shocking “how” behind it all.
Thumbs Up
In the end, “High Tension” is a must-watch for horror fans, but one that comes with a fair warning: it’s brutally graphic and disturbingly vivid. Even the moments left to the imagination are powerful enough to haunt you long after the credits roll. One thing’s certain—the film more than earns its title.
Uncut Diamonds 